De Kuyper triple sec: what it is and how to use it

De Kuyper triple sec is a clear, orange-flavored liqueur used mainly in margaritas, cosmopolitans and other citrus cocktails. At The Wild Duck in Boston, we put together this guide to help you decide whether it is the right orange liqueur for the drink you are making, and what to compare it with.

What is De Kuyper triple sec?

De Kuyper triple sec is an orange liqueur from De Kuyper, a Dutch distiller. Like all triple sec, it is clear in color and tastes of orange peel with a sweet finish. Bartenders use it to add orange flavor and a little sweetness to a drink without changing its color.

Triple sec is a style of liqueur, not a single brand. The orange flavor comes from the peels of bitter and sweet oranges, which are steeped or distilled with a neutral spirit and then sweetened. Each maker uses its own recipe, so the strength and sweetness vary from bottle to bottle.

The name is French for "triple dry." Despite that, triple sec is sweet. In practice the word "dry" refers to the style, and the sweetness is lower than in many other fruit liqueurs. You will find it in the liqueur section of a liquor store, usually near the other liquers.

How is triple sec different from Cointreau, curaçao and Grand Marnier?

Cointreau is a triple sec, so it belongs to the same style as De Kuyper. The difference is in the recipe, the strength and the flavor. Cointreau is usually described as drier and more intense, while many standard triple secs taste lighter and sweeter. Compare the labels on the bottles for the alcohol by volume.

Curaçao is the older name for orange liqueur. Original curaçao was made with the dried peel of the laraha orange from the island of Curaçao. Blue curaçao is the same idea with added color, and it tastes of orange, not blueberry. Orange curaçao is often a little richer than clear triple sec.

Grand Marnier is a different product again. It is made with cognac as the base, so it is amber in color and carries oak and brandy notes. It works well in a sidecar or served on its own, but it will make a margarita taste heavier and darker than triple sec does.

Which cocktails use De Kuyper triple sec?

Triple sec appears in more classic cocktails than almost any other liqueur. The margarita is the best known. The cosmopolitan, the sidecar, the white lady, the kamikaze and the long island iced tea all call for it too.

In each case it plays a supporting role. It supplies orange flavor and some sweetness to balance the sour of lemon or lime. In a cosmopolitan, it joins vodka, cranberry and lime. In a sidecar, it sits alongside cognac and lemon juice.

If you want to build these drinks at home, you will also need the base spirit and a fresh citrus fruit. We carry tequila, vodka and mixers alongside our liqueurs, so the whole drink can come from one order.

How do you make a margarita with triple sec?

A basic margarita uses three ingredients: tequila, lime juice and triple sec. A common starting point is two parts tequila, one part fresh lime juice and one part triple sec. Many people prefer a little less triple sec, so you can adjust the amount to your taste.

Shake the ingredients with ice until the outside of the shaker is cold, then strain into a glass over fresh ice. A salted rim is optional. Use fresh lime juice, because bottled juice changes the flavor of the drink noticeably.

The tequila matters more than the orange liqueur in a margarita. A blanco tequila is the usual choice, because it is unaged and tastes clean and bright. If you would like a set that is already put together, the Rokz line of cocktail sets includes a Margarita Lover Set among the items we have in stock.

How do you choose the right bottle of triple sec?

Start with what the drink needs. If you are making a margarita or a cosmopolitan for a group, a standard triple sec such as De Kuyper gives you the orange flavor the recipe expects. If the orange liqueur is the main flavor in a drink, you may want to look at a more intense bottle.

Read the label for the alcohol by volume. Triple sec ranges widely in strength, and a stronger liqueur will make a drink taste more alcoholic and less sweet. The bottle size matters as well, since a drink that uses only a half ounce per serving will take a long time to finish a large bottle.

If you are unsure what is on the shelf, our liqueur category lists the bottles in stock, and you can ask us in the shop at 86 Massachusetts Ave. We carry more than 4,500 products and more than 700 brands, and the liqueur shelf is part of that range.

Can you substitute another orange liqueur for De Kuyper triple sec?

Yes. Any orange liqueur can replace triple sec in a cocktail, and the result will be close to the original. The main difference you will notice is sweetness and strength. A drier or stronger liqueur may need a slightly smaller pour.

Cointreau, orange curaçao and other triple secs can be swapped one for one in most recipes. Grand Marnier can also be used, but expect a deeper, brandy-like flavor. If a recipe depends on a clear, bright drink, stay with a clear orange liqueur.

If you have no orange liqueur at all, a different style of liqueur will change the drink instead of copying it. Our Chartreuse Yellow Liqueur is herbal and honeyed, not orange, so it suits a different set of recipes.

How long does triple sec keep after you open it?

Triple sec keeps for a long time once opened, because it contains sugar and alcohol. Keep the cap tightly closed and store the bottle somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. A cupboard works well, and you do not need to refrigerate it.

Over months and years, the orange flavor can fade and the color of the liquid can darken slightly. The bottle is still safe to use, but the drink may taste flatter than it did when you first opened it. If a bottle smells off or looks cloudy, replace it.

Because it keeps well, a bottle of triple sec is a reasonable item to have on hand for gatherings. If you are planning a cocktail evening, our Bloody Mary Lover Set from Rokz is another item that comes ready to use.

How can you buy orange liqueur from The Wild Duck?

You can visit the shop at 86 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02117. We are open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Our Google rating is 4.6 out of 5 from more than 60 reviews.

If you prefer not to come in, we offer in-store pickup, delivery and shipping. Pickup hours are 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM Monday to Saturday and 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Sunday. Delivery runs from 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM Monday to Saturday and 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM on Sunday. Our liquor delivery areas page lists where we deliver, including Boston, Cambridge and Brookline.

If you are making a drink that uses triple sec, our article on the Moscow mule shows how we approach picking a spirit and a mixer for a single recipe. You must be 21 or older to buy alcohol from us.